votadini

Definitely, Cumbria is chock-a-block with Norse name elements (fell, howe, pike, tarn, thwaite, gill, beck, etc) though still enough Brythonic and Angle to spice the toponymy up.

Thanks for all the opinions so far. I generally prefer my historical fiction (admittedly, I generally prefer history works themselves) along the lines of Umberto Eco, but I have delved into Cornwell et al in the past. Never, in my opinion, going to win a Nobel but any ripping yarn will sometimes do to pass the time.

He certainly took the dangerously insane angle in the portrayal.

I just picked up a copy of Simon Scarrow's 'Under the Eagle' in a local Oxfam. I've never read one of his works before, so do they come recommended?

It's generally thought that place-names ending in '-by' (Grimsby, Whitby, Birkby) indicate Norse settlement.

Not really my cup of tea either, but it's an art museum so only to be expected they were going to adopt a styling not suited to more conservative tastes. And, after twenty years everyone will probably be used to it (see the Sydney Opera House or the Pompadou Centre) and be outshone by a new wave of architects trying to make their name.

Understandable though, since the buildings of Roman Britain is such a large topic and in only one volume.

A very good book, a must for anyone interested in Roman architecture this side of the Channel.

I've just finished 'Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell, and 'Day of the Barbarians' by Alessandro Barbero, very well written but I'm sure he could have put much more detail in.

If she looked anything akin to the coin (or the woman at Northern Neil's launderette) she must have been VERY seductive

King Shish Kebab II

Hear, hear! I'm an admirer of Attenborough but all day every Sunday can sap one's endurance.

Caesar; "This isn't what I meant by cuts in government!!"

I honestly wouldn't know, but off the top of my head I think they're just available on Sky, Telewest or Freeview.

Maybe of interest to those in the UK; http://uktv.co.uk/index.cfm/uktv/UKTV.tv/c...-17/startTime/6 Seems to be quite a few Roman/Ancient programmes on this day.